By Burnett Munthali
As Malawi gears up for the 2025 elections, the Umodzi Party (UP) has come out in full support of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Justice Anabel Mtalimanja, urging her not to bow to opposition demands for her resignation. According to UP President Thomas Wezzie Kaumba, calls from opposition leaders for Mtalimanja to step down are driven by “bitterness” rather than legitimate concerns for Malawian democracy.
Kaumba addressed the issue with MIJ Online, emphasizing that the opposition’s calls lack substance and appear to be a reaction to their own diminishing chances in the upcoming elections. “The opposition parties know they stand little chance of winning next year’s elections, and that is why they are calling for Mtalimanja’s resignation,” Kaumba remarked.
He challenged the opposition to bring any valid claims to court if they genuinely believed the MEC chairperson was planning to tamper with the electoral process. “As UP, we urge Mtalimanja to stand firm and not give in to these baseless calls,” he added, expressing confidence in the MEC’s ability to uphold a fair and transparent election.
These comments come amid intensified calls from a coalition of opposition parties, including the United Democratic Front (UDF), UTM Party, the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who have raised concerns over Mtalimanja’s alleged “compromised status” and connections to the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
Citing her family ties—Mtalimanja is the daughter of the late John Tembo, former MCP president—the opposition argues that her role as MEC chair could present a conflict of interest. Kaumba, however, dismissed these allegations, calling them “a weak attempt to undermine the MEC’s integrity.”
With the election season approaching, the UP’s stance highlights the contentious atmosphere surrounding MEC leadership and the importance of maintaining confidence in the commission’s impartiality. As it stands, Mtalimanja’s commitment to neutrality will likely remain under the spotlight in the months ahead.
